The 25-year-old, who made the move to Franklin's Gardens from New Zealand outfit Counties Manukau a little over a week ago, crossed over just eight minutes into his debut.

Tuala received a warm welcome from Saints supporters, and Dickens believes that there is more to come from the new signing once he truly settles into his new surroundings.

"Ace did brilliantly today considering he only arrived at the end of last week," he is quoted as saying by the Northampton Chronicle.

"The reception he got was really pleasing. He collected the kick-off and banged it 50 metres and the crowd appreciated that. I thought he got off to a good start and he looks good. He's comfortable on the ball and he's hard to stop."

Northampton went on to win the match 29-6 to set up an away semi-final at Saracens, Exeter Chiefs or Leicester Tigers in the LV=Cup.